Review Vacancy
Occupational CategoryClerical, Secretarial, Office Aide
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $60000 to $65000 Annually
Duties Description The office of NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez is seeking a Community Liaison to join our District Office team. Senator Gonzalez represents the 59th District in the New York State Senate which includes parts of three boroughs, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and she Chairs two committees, the Committee on Internet and Technology and the Committee on Elections.
The office is seeking a representative who will assist constituents in navigating governmental agencies, maintain relationships with local leaders and concerned neighbors, and engage in community organizing with elected officials and neighborhood groups to tackle tough issues facing our constituents. The role will consist of constituent service casework, presenting at public meetings, and managing complex projects with many stakeholders and multiple components. The Community Affairs representative will work with the Legislative Team to identify priority issues for our constituents and potential legislative solutions to frequent district concerns. They will work with the Communications Director to highlight the Senator’s work in the district through newsletters, social media posts, and media opportunities.
The ideal candidate will be interested in government operations, passionate about public service, and excited to work on a diverse set of policies and community concerns.
In this dynamic role, you will:
•Conduct constituent services intakes through phone calls, in-person at events or in the office, email correspondence, mail, and other means of direct contact with members of the public.
•Conduct constituent services casework by working directly with constituents, government agencies, non-profit service providers, and community stakeholders on addressing constituent needs and solving problems. Casework can include a variety of topics including assistance with unemployment claims, connecting people with social services, advocating for street safety measures, and a wide variety of policy, and community needs.
•Ensure casework is properly documented in the Senate database in a timely manner.
•Attend monthly Community Board General Meetings, recurring community meetings and other local meetings organized by local stakeholders on behalf of the Senator and provide succinct notes on key developments.
•Build strong partnerships with community leaders, civic organizations, city/state/federal government offices, and individual constituents to address and solve everyday issues impacting the 59th Senate District.
•Plan and execute community events including notable holiday celebrations, food distributions, back to school events, resource fairs, turkey giveaways, toy giveaways, among others, agency information events, and community meetings.
•Organize multi-stakeholder meetings with community members, government agencies, non-profit organizations, social service providers and other impacted groups to solve complex community or policy issues.
•Provide status updates to the Director of Community Affairs on caseloads, community issues, events, staff concerns, scheduling issues, and any other matter that may require the team’s attention.
•Staff meetings and events as needed.
•Work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Minimum Qualifications To move forward you must have:
•A demonstrated commitment to bettering the material conditions of working-class New Yorkers in and beyond SD-59
•Exceptional attention to detail and time management skills
•Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•Research and decision-making skills, including the ability to proactively find solutions and work independently and collaborate across a small team
•Demonstrated ability to think and plan strategically, especially in a fast-changing, often high stakes environment
•Comfort/experience with a public-facing position, public speaking, and interacting with members of the public
•Ability to work with basic office computer applications
•Ability to treat confidential information with appropriate discretion
•Ability to manage high volumes of calls and walk-ins
•Capacity to multitask and problem solve independently and with teams
•Comfort with representing the office at community events
•Knowledge of and familiarity with the diverse and urgent needs of a triborough district
•Must live in New York State upon beginning of employment
Bonus points if you:
•Have speaking and/or writing knowledge of Spanish, Bangla, or Mandarin/Cantonese
•Are familiar with the needs of Northern Brooklyn (Greenpoint & Williamsburg), Western Queens (Long Island City & Astoria), or the east side of Manhattan, (Stuyvesant Town, Peter Cooper Village, Tudor City, Kips Bay, Murray Hill & Gramercy)
Additional Comments The salary range is $60,000 to $65,000 per year, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, overtime-exempt position.
Interested candidates should submit a one-page resume, a one-page cover letter, and names and contact information for three professional references to gonzalezjobs@nysenate.gov with the subject line “Community Liaison.”
Due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to respond to each applicant. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Applicants who advance to the next round will be invited to interview with team members via email.
The NYS Senate offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes a health and wellness in the workplace program that you and your family can benefit from:
•Dental insurance
•Employee assistance program
•Flexible spending account
•Health insurance
•Life insurance
•Paid time off
•Parental leave
•Retirement plan
•Sick time
•Tuition reimbursement
•Vision insurance
•Wellness Program
The New York State Senate is an Equal Opportunity employer that values a diverse and equitable workplace. We do not permit discrimination based on race, age, creed, color, religion, gender/sex, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, national origin, predisposing genetic characteristics, or physical or mental disability, domestic violence victim status, arrest/criminal conviction record, pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity or expression, sexual harassment, immigration status, or hair texture or protective hair styles.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.